That's it. I was just resting.

I follow the hilarious John Cleese (Monty Python) on Twitter. He just posted the tweet above after a few days' absence from the feed. It prompted me to thank those of you who worried why I hadn't been on the blog for a while. It feels good to be missed. Much appreciated!

Susie Sorority phone!

     I've not been blog-posting of late, mainly because I've been so busy at my day job, which is more of a night-and-day job the last two weeks. Also, I started my Efudex treatment on my forehead this past Saturday. And while it's probably not going to reach horror movie levels until next week, I haven't decided whether or not to post pics (you can see plenty if you Google "Efudex" images). Maybe three or four shots over the course of treatment to remind you guys to wear sunscreen EVERY FREAKING DAY!
    Meanwhile, I do have something new and pretty to look at: A new iPhone cover from Lilly Pulitzer which I purchased yesterday at a shop downtown (Fortuity). I have very strict criteria for an iPhone case. It needs to be made from rubbery material, not hard plastic that could crack when I (constantly) drop the phone; and it needs to be of a color easily found in the dark Bermuda Triangle recesses of my purse. Although I resisted the preppy pattern at first, this one fits the bill. Besides, it's the closest I'm going to get to Palm Beach anytime soon. And how apropos for the Florida primary! ('Wonder if Lilly's in the Mitt or Newt camp?)

He croons. We swoon.

OK, this is my favorite thing on Facebook today: Sir Paul looking irresistible on his soon to be released new album, Kisses on the Bottom. (From you, Paul? Yes, please!) It's a collection of McCartney's favorite 20th century standards with guest artists, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder and Diana Krall. I could only hear one of the songs on iTunes (My Valentine) and - I hate to say - his voice sounds rather thin and creaky. But, something tells me no one will care.

My favorite thing on Facebook this morning

Click on it to make it big enough to read. Then, just live.

Best 1-minute personality test ever.

...but if I start sprouting a green Afro, the jig's up.

If it's Sunday, it must be a new BoomerGirl health kick. This week, it's ch-ch-ch-chia seeds! That's right, the stuff that makes weird-looking terracotta creatures grow before your very eyes is actually very good for you to eat. Better, in fact, than flax seed with even more Omega-3's and fiber. (Fiber. VERY important in a low-carb regime. I know I don't have to tell you why.) And, because it expands in water to nine times its volume, it's a pretty effective little appetite controller. I added a heaping tablespoon to my Sunday smoothie at 7:30 this morning and here I am, almost 4 hours later, with nary a hunger pain in sight. They're tasteless so they'll work with lots of food and, unlike flaxseed, they don't have to be refrigerated. So far, so good (see headline).

Getting juiced the low-carb way

Cranberry juice used to be one of my favorite mixers. In fact, it's a key ingredient in my signature summer party cocktail, the Sea Breeze (vodka, grapefruit and cranberry juice with lots of lime). The problem with it - and all fruit juices, for that matter - is the high sugar content. Enter Cranberry Naturals. (Why, as a matter of fact, two complimentary bottles literally entered my mailbox yesterday!) Sweetened with Truvia, it contains 17 grams each of carbs and sugar per 8 oz serving, compared to 30 grams for the leading brand. 17 is still high if you really have to watch your sugar, so I've been adding just 2 or 3 ounces to my morning smoothie (Greek yogurt, frozen blueberries, vanilla protein powder, blueberry-infused Balsamic vinegar) which gives it just the right touch of tangy sweetness. Recommended!

I have a dream...

 

that one day I will be in a profession that honors the Martin Luther King holiday - like teaching or banking, mail carrying, state or city governing. In the meantime, I will take a moment to remember MLK for the inspirational, non-violent leader he was, and enjoy free parking at the meters all day with all the other hapless worker bees.

Introducing the exercise hormone

For the record, this is not my treadmill. Mine is clear, albeit dusty.

If you're needing more inspiration to hit the gym tomorrow morning, here it is.

Adventures on and off the wheat wagon

My column today is, in truth, a compilation of three or four humorous conversations I've had lately about giving up wheat. It did not occur exactly as written. (It's called "artistic" license. I take it all the time.) And, as long as I'm riding the nothing-but-the-truth trail, the fact is, I fell off the wheat wagon this weekend, having pizza with friends on Friday and a fabulous entree' last night called Portobello Wellington. (Oh, God. Serious delectability.) I don't feel good for having done it....stomach upset, vague body aches, sluggishness and a heaping helping of guilt. So, I'm back in the saddle again. Wheat-free, one day at a time.

True confession: I like to watch

I'm posting this knowing YOU'LL know I think it's so hilarious because I've actually watched "Toddlers and Tiaras." Truth be told, more than once. There, I said it. Now, enjoy....

Advanced Style

I hope this documentary comes to my town in June. So fabulous! So inspirational! Makes me want to pile on my mother-in-law's jewelry and a stylish chapeau and head to the grocery store. Or, hop a plane to New York. That would be more fun:

Great tips for tidying up

This helpful list from Daily Buzz is a couple months old, but who cares? It contains at least five ideas I'm putting to use immediately....when I get in the mood to organize, that is.

At last!

At least, now we have a date. It's only been 525 days since the end of Season 4 (thanks, HuffPost, for doing the math). That was so long ago, I can hardly remember what happened in the last episode. I think Don's still engaged to Megan and Joan's decided to keep the baby (Roger's?) but that's about all I can pull up without Google'ing. It's still 75 more days to wait, but it feels good knowing MM is finally returning, and just in time to save us from the last half of primary season.

Savor and bid low

     I usually come away with one or two great internet tips each time I have my monthly coffee klatch with the girls. This one, Savored.com, comes from Alice, a frequent traveler to D.C., who uses the website to find 30% discounts (off food AND liquor) at fabulous local restaurants. Think: Open Table meets Priceline. There are only about ten large markets to choose from - LA, NY, Chicago, etc. - but I'll bet the list expands as nomadic foodies catch on to the concept.
    Speaking of Priceline (and you know how I love to do my bidding on Priceline), here's a site to help you get the lowest of low-ball offfers when you bid for those 5-star hotel rooms: Biddingtraveler.com. 
    Now, let's go somewhere!

New statement specs

 

There are times when camera phones - especially the ones, like my new iPhone, that have self-facing lenses - come in uber-handy. Take yesterday, for example, when I was shopping for new glasses. I tried on this crazy cat-eye style from eco, having never considered any shape other than 'squarish', and fell in love! Still, I worried that they might be too novel, too trendy, too... too. So, I snapped a shot to show my daughter and hubs, to get their opinions. They both dug them, so I cast caution to the wind (which is often a little too easy for me) and ordered them. Next move - a messy new 'do!

Tom Jones + CSNY = Wow.

There is much to love about this rendition of "Long Time Gone," starting with the smile on David Crosby's face as Tom Jones sings his soul out on the late 60s classic (a standard slow dance song at my high school dances). It makes me indescribably happy. Just watch....

Another celebrity do...but Leslie Stahl?

As I continue my search for the perfect bangs-heavy hairstyle to hide the effects of pre-cancer chemo treatment on my forehead, scheduled to start at the end of this month (finally), I am cracking myself up. Why? Because, over the years,  I've taken dozens of celebrity photos to stylists to copy: Dorothy Hamill, Princess Diana, Meg Ryan, Katie Holmes, Ellen Barkin.... the list is endless.  I don't know why I find Leslie Stahl so funny.  She's an attractive woman. And, while I think she lets the bangs thing get totally out of hand sometimes....

 the 'do can be reined in quite nicely.

I think I'll go ahead and give it a try. Who knows? Maybe "60 Minutes" will come calling.

Oh, and Happy 2012!

In my fervent desire to do absolutely nothing yesterday, I completely forgot I wrote a column for Sunday. Yeah, it's about resolutions. Ho hum, right? To be honest, I feel like I kind of phoned this one in. Nevertheless, as the new year starts in earnest tomorrow (i.e. I go back to work), I wish a blissfully happy, prosperous and fulfilling 2012... and, at least one realized resolution for each of you fine people.

The year of the microgreen

One of the results of our New Year's Eve party (besides a headache and chronic fatigue yesterday) was a new subscription to a local greenhouse operation service that delivers fresh greens to your home every week. My friend, Sue, brought a salad made from the greens and it was so delicious and fresh! I signed up this morning and can't wait to receive my first batch of sprouts, arugula, kale and beet greens. I feel healthier already, my caramel double-latte notwithstanding.